colorful

adjective

col·​or·​ful ˈkə-lər-fəl 

1

: having striking colors

colorful scenery

2

a

: full of variety or interest

a colorful description

b

of speech : rude, offensive

… he had begun to gamble and use colorful language …

—Yohannes Edemariam

colorfully

ˈkə-lər-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

colorfulness

ˈkə-lər-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• chromatic
• colored
• kaleidoscopic
• motley
• multicolored
• multihued
• polychromatic
• polychrome
• prismatic
• rainbow
• varicolored
• varied
• variegated
• various

Examples of colorful in a Sentence

I wore a colorful outfit.

He gave a colorful account of his travels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Other varieties provide additional design elements such as interesting bark, colorful fruits, and fabulous fall foliage to enhance the garden all year long. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 June 2025

Kelce attended the event wearing a white muscle tank, patriotic shorts, and white sneakers, accompanied by a colorful baseball cap. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 26 June 2025

The best things to see, do, and eat in Copenhagen Begin your exploration at Nyhavn, the iconic 17th-century canal lined with colorful townhouses and bustling cafés. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 26 June 2025

The film is set in the fictional Mongibello, which Highsmith based on the resort towns along the Amalfi Coast, and unlike nearly all of the previous decade’s noir films, Purple Noon presents its seaside setting in colorful daytime to dazzling visual effect. —Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

color entry 1 + -ful entry 1

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing colorful

• colorful character

Kids Definition

colorful

adjective

col·​or·​ful ˈkəl-ər-fəl 

1

: having noticeable colors

2

: full of variety or interest

a colorful personality

colorfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

colorfulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun